How religions view of death can impact how you live ? What do religions believe happens when you die ?
All major world religions teach that life is continued after death. People do not just live to die. Death is reality that none of us can deny. Religions can be classified in two categories; Liner and Cyclical. Liner is the basic idea that people will live on earth one time, and then die facing judgement. Cyclical is having the idea of birth, death, rebirth with reincarnation. I’ll be focusing on Islam and Buddhism. Islam is classified as linear and Buddhism is classified as Cyclical.
Islam
Islam teaches the continued existence of the soul and the transformed physical existence after death. Our time on this earth is not for us to determine or control, muslims believe they have no right or power to determine when someone to die. Every person will die when Allah wills him to die. They will be a day of judgement, all humans will either got to eternal destination of Paradise or Hell. Until the day of judgement the dead souls are in their graves waiting for resurrection. While waiting if they’re are going to Hell they will suffer in the grave. If they’re are bound for heaven they will be at peace in their grave.
“Wherever you are, death will find you even if you are in towers built up strong and high.” Quraan [4;8]
This quote was thought provoking, because of the latter part. It says “ even if you are in towers built up strong and high.” The Strong and high is like an analogy for class distinction. In a world where amass wealth is looked at as protection, it still we be no match for death. This quote goes back to the status of each individual, your money value and materials things you have won’t matter. They won’t be considered when death comes. Everything you store up, earthly treasures, and your position will have no relevance. No matter how poor or how wealthy you are, you will die one day. This shows that God is just, offers equality. No one is higher than the other. Nothing will be able to protect you from death.
“When is the day of judgement ? [it is] when they will be tormented in the fire [and it will be said unto them] Taste your torment [which ye inflicted].” Surah 51:12-14
Islamic belief system teaches you that you will be judged after death. The quote says “tormented in the fire”, referring to a Hell fire. This helps us see that you will either be sent to a paradise or Hell. How you are judged will determine how you are dealt with in the grave. The level of hell depends on the degree of offenses. Suffering is both spiritual and physical. If you do a number of bad things, you will suffer the consequences. You don't escape the bad things, you did they accompany you to the grave.
Buddhism The Buddhist religion teaches that all of will succumb to death eventually, because it is part of the natural process, but it is vital to keep in mind that death is escapable through nirvana. The life that we should cherish and try to hold on to. If one can not attain Nirvana he/she will be reborn into any 31 planes of existence repeatedly due to how they lived their life (Karma).
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand”. -Buddha - Translation by Thich Nhat Hanh
In the Buddhist religion they believe death is not the end of life, it’s just the end of the body that they were given in this life. The soul goes on after death, living in a new body, finding a new attachment. The body their soul lives in is determined by their positive and negative actions in their past life. The quote is basically saying how you live your life determines how your after life will be. The main goal in life is cultivating the good karma. If you bring happiness to others you will be happy. You must be conscious of the things you did in your present life. For example, not stealing, lying, if you do dabble in these things the your karma will be bad, and you fare badly. The quote states that “My actions are the ground on which I stand”. Implying that the quality of your life will take responsibility for your actions.
“May all beings be filled with loving kindness, may all beings be well, May all beings be well, May all beings be peaceful and at ease, May all beings be happy (or free from suffering)”. - loving kindness Metta
In the Buddhist religion they advocate not to fear death, because with death comes enlightenment and peace. The life you live is preparing you for the afterlife. You shall not fear death, because the darkness of death will lead to a rebirth. You are to prepare for death by cleansing the mind and letting go of material attachments on earth. Nirvana is the state which there is no suffering, desire, sense of self released from the effects of karma. This helps obtain nirvana and helps release them from the cycle of death and rebirth. In the new life you will not suffer as much as you did in your previous life. You come to a state of serenity. This quote is wishing peace, love, and happiness for all beings. Wishing them free from suffering through death.
Conclusion
To conclude all religions give you a hope. They help to see that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. They give you a spiritual and physical sense of hope. They influence the way you live from day to day, influencing every decision you make. The choices you make reflects on the hope and knowledge you have on your religion. You are aware that your not just living to die, but living with a hope in view of another life.
How religions view of death can impact how you live ? What do religions believe happens when you die ?
All major world religions teach that life is continued after death. People do not just live to die. Death is reality that none of us can deny. Religions can be classified in two categories; Liner and Cyclical. Liner is the basic idea that people will live on earth one time, and then die facing judgement. Cyclical is having the idea of birth, death, rebirth with reincarnation. I’ll be focusing on Islam and Buddhism. Islam is classified as linear and Buddhism is classified as Cyclical.
Islam
Islam teaches the continued existence of the soul and the transformed physical existence after death. Our time on this earth is not for us to determine or control, muslims believe they have no right or power to determine when someone to die. Every person will die when Allah wills him to die. They will be a day of judgement, all humans will either got to eternal destination of Paradise or Hell. Until the day of judgement the dead souls are in their graves waiting for resurrection. While waiting if they’re are going to Hell they will suffer in the grave. If they’re are bound for heaven they will be at peace in their grave.
“Wherever you are, death will find you even if you are in towers built up strong and high.” Quraan [4;8]
This quote was thought provoking, because of the latter part. It says “ even if you are in towers built up strong and high.” The Strong and high is like an analogy for class distinction. In a world where amass wealth is looked at as protection, it still we be no match for death. This quote goes back to the status of each individual, your money value and materials things you have won’t matter. They won’t be considered when death comes. Everything you store up, earthly treasures, and your position will have no relevance. No matter how poor or how wealthy you are, you will die one day. This shows that God is just, offers equality. No one is higher than the other. Nothing will be able to protect you from death.
“When is the day of judgement ? [it is] when they will be tormented in the fire [and it will be said unto them] Taste your torment [which ye inflicted].” Surah 51:12-14
Islamic belief system teaches you that you will be judged after death. The quote says “tormented in the fire”, referring to a Hell fire. This helps us see that you will either be sent to a paradise or Hell. How you are judged will determine how you are dealt with in the grave. The level of hell depends on the degree of offenses. Suffering is both spiritual and physical. If you do a number of bad things, you will suffer the consequences. You don't escape the bad things, you did they accompany you to the grave.
Buddhism
The Buddhist religion teaches that all of will succumb to death eventually, because it is part of the natural process, but it is vital to keep in mind that death is escapable through nirvana. The life that we should cherish and try to hold on to. If one can not attain Nirvana he/she will be reborn into any 31 planes of existence repeatedly due to how they lived their life (Karma).
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand”. -Buddha - Translation by Thich Nhat Hanh
In the Buddhist religion they believe death is not the end of life, it’s just the end of the body that they were given in this life. The soul goes on after death, living in a new body, finding a new attachment. The body their soul lives in is determined by their positive and negative actions in their past life. The quote is basically saying how you live your life determines how your after life will be. The main goal in life is cultivating the good karma. If you bring happiness to others you will be happy. You must be conscious of the things you did in your present life. For example, not stealing, lying, if you do dabble in these things the your karma will be bad, and you fare badly. The quote states that “My actions are the ground on which I stand”. Implying that the quality of your life will take responsibility for your actions.
“May all beings be filled with loving kindness, may all beings be well, May all beings be well, May all beings be peaceful and at ease, May all beings be happy (or free from suffering)”. - loving kindness Metta
In the Buddhist religion they advocate not to fear death, because with death comes enlightenment and peace. The life you live is preparing you for the afterlife. You shall not fear death, because the darkness of death will lead to a rebirth. You are to prepare for death by cleansing the mind and letting go of material attachments on earth. Nirvana is the state which there is no suffering, desire, sense of self released from the effects of karma. This helps obtain nirvana and helps release them from the cycle of death and rebirth. In the new life you will not suffer as much as you did in your previous life. You come to a state of serenity. This quote is wishing peace, love, and happiness for all beings. Wishing them free from suffering through death.
Conclusion
To conclude all religions give you a hope. They help to see that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. They give you a spiritual and physical sense of hope. They influence the way you live from day to day, influencing every decision you make. The choices you make reflects on the hope and knowledge you have on your religion. You are aware that your not just living to die, but living with a hope in view of another life.
Resources
Islam
__http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma5/viewdeath.html__
__http://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/?contactID=159147167__
__http://www.a-good-dying.com/hindu-prayers.html__
Buddhism
__http://www.patheos.com/Library/Judaism.html__
__http://www.diffen.com/difference/Buddhism_vs_Hinduism__